BOOK TWO • PART THREE
Author's Note:
This is the last part of Book Two. I hope you've enjoyed this installment in the series and look forward to your feedback. Book Three will be ready before the end of the year (probably in October at the latest). Please rate and comment to let me know what you think!
All sexual activity is between characters that are 18 or older. This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to real persons, places or events is purely coincidental. The below is not intended to serve as a guide for real-life sexual encounters or relationships. Stay safe, happy and healthy! :-)
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14 • Peace Talks
We made a resort in Bali our Camp David as the family engaged in what could only be described as negotiations. The aim: Make ourselves whole and repair things with our mother.
Styled classically, the yellow building that accommodated us had two wings hugging a massive pool with gazebos, loungers and pristine lawns. The restaurant, gym and other facilities were in a separate building, laid out at an angle to maximise views of the pristine coastline.
The land belonged to Gedeon Daughtler and would soon belong to me.
Elle was my chief diplomat and took the job seriously. The family would dine together at least twice each day. Most of the talking happened in our brunches, while dinners were reserved for bonding as we tried to catch up on wasted decades.
It was unlikely we could ever forget, but I had a feeling we could forgive.
Three days passed, and we were sitting underneath a thatch-roofed gazebo with island sounds and the seascape creating a sense of tranquillity. Everyone was relaxed, or so it seemed, until the flames rose from old embers and our progress nearly turned to ash...
"So, what are you going to do?" Tecla asked with an edge.
"Do?" Eve quirked an eyebrow.
"Work, charity, chores... You have to do something. You can't just expect to hang around without contributing."
Reaching out, I squeezed my sister's hand in a futile attempt to calm her down. A lifetime of neglect filled her with a sense of rage she'd bottled up for far too long. But our mother didn't understand how deep the scars ran.
"Do I really need to contribute?" she asked. "I'm your mom, after all."
"You're our mom?!" Tec scoffed. "You want me to call you Mom, Mommy, or some bullshit like that?"
"Tec--" I tried to interject.
"Fuck that! I'm leaving."
My sister sprang to her feet and stormed off angrily with her point made. Shortly after, Eve did the same and headed off towards her room in a huff, leaving myself and Elle to pick up the pieces.
I was stunned. "Where did that come from?"
Elle pitied my ignorance and probably despised it just a little. "Tec doesn't talk about it, but she's angry. There's all the stuff from way back, and then there's the way Mom reacted when she found out about us..."
"She was in shock," I defended. "When it came down to it, she never told us to stop, only to be safe."
With a shrug, my sister stood up and kissed me on the cheek, promising that she'd speak to Tecla later. I felt it wasn't her responsibility -- that as much as I needed her help, I also needed to remain the leader of our family. It was my duty to take care of us and keep us together.
I took a few deep breaths, collecting my thoughts before heading to our bedroom.
Walking through the epic -- empty -- beach resort was a surreal experience. We'd booked the whole place, and its over 200 rooms were all ours. Here and there, a security officer or other staff member loitered in the background, but they hardly filled the place. It seemed abandoned, but it also seemed safe and private.
As well as his investments, I'd been purchasing Gedeon Daughtler's extensive global infrastructure. Before all that, I was rich and powerful, but this new partnership would propel me to levels few people could imagine. It was a necessity, of course, but it also made me feel good, and I'd taken a real shine to feeling good.
As I got closer to the presidential suite, located at the heart of a private garden and beyond the resort proper, I heard crying and moved faster. The sound of my sister in despair drove me to rush, speed ahead, and race to console her. Throwing open the door, I found Natasha and Tecla sitting on the bed, with our cousin holding my weeping sister.
"It's fucked up!" Tecla swore, barely able to speak.
"I know," Tash soothed.
"I never wanted her back!"
"She's your mother."
"No, she isn't! She never was and never will be. Olly is the only person who ever took care of us."
Natasha held my sister to her chest and patted Tec on the back as she let it all out. Our cousin was a godsend -- closer in age to the girls, a female role model and companion that could offer them things I couldn't. At the end of the day, I was still their big brother, and little could replace that, but she was an incredible help.
"Look who's here," Tash whispered, directing Tecla's attention to me.
My sister's lips were shivering as she walked over and embraced me. The way she felt in my arms was an awful realisation, and for the first time, I accepted just how much hurt was in her heart.
"I..."
I wanted to say I never knew Eve had such an effect on them. Clearly, I wasn't the only one between us who tried to hide my feelings from my siblings. I guess we all wanted to look strong for each other. Tecla used my shirt as a tissue, but I didn't mind. I wanted to do everything I could for her, but I also had to insist we continue with the peace talks. She didn't see the point, and I could hardly blame her.
Making a truce and charting a path forward was a son's impulse (no matter what his mother did). I knew daughters felt the same in their hearts of heart, but it simply took them longer to realise, and it was harder for them to forgive.
"This is to help keep us safe," I started. "Keeping everyone together is better for security. Plus, I think--"
"We can be one big happy family?" Tecla grumbled, letting go of me. "You think we should live with her?"